Greater Works Christian Center Church has partnered with Hamilton Community Health Network to offer free sports physicals for youth in the Greater Flint community on June 23.

The Next Level Health Fair will be held at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint, 3701 N. Averill Ave. from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Along with the free sports physicals, it will offer fitness demos and other resources for families, including blood pressure and blood glucose checks, fitness, and other educational awareness information about community resources that assist with health, insurance, nutrition and child care needs.

“The Next Level Health Fair desires to not only offer free resources to attendees, but encourage them to seek assistance in identifying new ways to better manage their health and overcome any health related obstacles,” the church says.

“Most importantly, the health fair’s mission is to increase knowledge about the importance of heart health, raise awareness about Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS), and sports and exercise safety amongst athletes.”

SADS is a genetic heart condition that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy, people. These conditions can be treated and deaths can be prevented. Parents, guardians and coaches are encouraged to speak with athletes about heart health to prevent SADS.

Athletes also need to keep safe. The Nemours Foundation offers the following tips to promote safety during sports:

Wear a helmet

Use eye protection

Wear mouth guards

Wear wrist, knee, and elbow guards

Wear a protective cup

Warm up

Stay off the court when you’re hurt

Understand the rules of the game

Along with the Hamilton Community Health Network, the Greater Works Christian Center Church also partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint, Health Alliance Plan, Meridian, Genesee Health Plan and other local agencies to offer the free health resources.